Gilbert Melendez: UFC on Fox 7 is My Chance to Prove I Am No. 1

While that type of recognition is clearly well-deserved, Melendez
is not satisfied with his current status as the division’s
second-ranked talent. On April 20, the Californian will attempt to
prove that he has no equal at 155 pounds, when “El Nino” takes on
UFC lightweight champion Benson
Henderson in the main event of
UFC on Fox 7 at HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.

Though Melendez will walk into the cage as Strikeforce’s final
lightweight champion, the 30-year-old appears cognizant that his
belt is now only a keepsake. It is Henderson’s title on the line,
and Melendez readily admits that he must now play the role of
challenger.

“Champion versus champion is a neat thing for me, but I feel like
in this case that Benson is the champ, and I’m coming into a new
organization,” Melendez said Wednesday during a media conference
call. “I fought the Dream champ and the Shooto champ -- I’ve fought
a lot of different champs under different rules, so this is a neat
opportunity for me. I’m definitely prepared. For a long time, I’ve
been trying to prove that I am No. 1, and this is my opportunity.
I’m [going to try] to take advantage of it.”

This will not be the first time a member of the Cesar Gracie Fight
Team tangles with Henderson, who outpointed Nate Diaz in
his UFC on Fox 5 title defense back in December -- a performance
which Melendez witnessed in person.

“Of course I would love to avenge my friend and represent for my
team. I got to see firsthand what Benson is all about. I would love
to get that [win] for myself and for my teammate,” said Melendez.
“When your buddy is fighting, you can’t help but get a little
emotional and a little passionate. If you can back your friend up,
you will.”

Melendez represents just the latest of title contenders to come
from the vaunted Cesar
Gracie camp. Nick and Nate Diaz both
challenged UFC champions in recent months, and Jake Shields
took a crack at Georges St.
Pierre in 2011. Years earlier, David
Terrell and Gil Castillo
tried to capture UFC gold three times between the two of them. In
spite of the undeniable talent of the challengers, each attempt was
unsuccessful, a fact that Melendez said has not added any extra
pressure to his upcoming title try.

“I hope to win the title for my team, but I really try not to put
too much pressure on myself. I just go out there to fight my
fight,” said Melendez. “I think it’s a great accomplishment for my
whole team to even get title fights. Not many teams can say that.
If anything, it’s an accomplishment for our team, but I would like
to be able bring that title back to the gym and share it with those
guys.”